Stomach Ulcer

Stomach ulcer

        Most ulcers are located in the duodenum which is the first part of the intestine and begins immediately after the stomach. Ulcers therein are called duodenal ulcers. As for ulcers located in the stomach, they are called gastric ulcers. Ulcers that are in the esophagus are called esophageal ulcers. Two other disorders are much like ulcers: an inflammation of the lower esophagus (esophagitis) and an inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis).

Stomach

        The stomach is the seat of mechanical and chemical phenomena that allow digestion. The chemical phenomena is insured by the action of glands in the lining of the stomach which secretes:

• Hydrochloric acid (HCL), a strong acid which renders the food particles soluble(except fat), promotes the absorption of certain nutrients (vitamin B12, iron, folic acid) and can destroy micro-organisms ( parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi) that enter the stomach through inadvertence;
• Of pepsin, a group of enzymes involved in digestion of proteins;
• A protective mucus, which prevents acid and pepsin to destroy the stomach wall.

Stomach ulcer pictures

Stomach ulcer evolution

        Usually, an ulcer appears gradually in a few weeks. It can also occur quickly, within days of taking anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, but this situation is not very common. The spontaneous healing rate could be around 40% (over 1 month), especially if the ulcer was caused by NSAIDs and if you stopped taking them. The final spontaneous healing without relapse, however, is rare. If the ulcer is not treated or if the cause is not checked, there are strong possibilities that ulcers recur in the next year and the risk of complications increases.

Stomach ulcer complications

        A complete perforation of the bowel wall may cause peritonitis. Anemia can also occur. A gastro-intestinal obstruction may occur in some people.